Tahov: No Reason for Food Price Hikes

There are no economic or production reasons behind rising food prices in Bulgaria, Agriculture Minister Georgi Tahov told bTV on Sunday. He attributed the increases to speculative behavior ahead of the country's eurozone entry, CE Report quotes BTA

Tahov emphasized that daily market checks show no justification for price hikes, and regulatory bodies—CPC, CCP, and NRA—are stepping up inspections. He called Bulgaria's eurozone accession a major national milestone.

Discussing the draft agri-food chain law, Tahov said it aims to balance producers, resellers, and retailers, adding that feedback from public consultations will be incorporated before the July 14 deadline. He defended the proposed one-year cap on markups, noting similar EU practices in Romania, Hungary, and Croatia.

Tahov confirmed that the first state-owned stores are expected to open in September, using the Central Cooperative Union’s network and mobile stores to reach remote areas.

On crop losses, he noted this spring's natural disasters were the worst in 50 years. Some orchards were found in poor condition due to neglect, and subsidy payments will be denied in such cases. Tahov also said crop insurance uptake remains low despite a new state-backed program covering 70% of premiums.

Finally, he dismissed the upcoming no-confidence vote against the government as baseless, asserting the Cabinet will endure.